_Sar._ And I have never sought but for the last. _Myr._ And now art neither. _Sar._ Dost _thou_ say so, Myrrha? _Myr._ I speak of civic popular love, _self_-love, Which means that men are kept in awe and law, Yet not oppressed--at least they must not think so, Or, if they think so, deem it necessary, 540 To ward off worse oppression, their own passions. A King of feasts, and flowers, and wine, and revel, And love, and mirth, was never King of Glory. _Sar._ Glory! what's that? _Myr._ Ask of the Gods thy fathers. _Sar._ They cannot answer; when the priests speak for them, 'Tis for some small addition to the temple. _Myr._ Look to the annals of thine Empire's founders. _Sar._ They are so blotted o'er with blood, I cannot. But what wouldst have? the Empire _has been_ founded. I cannot go on multiplying empires. 550 _Myr._ Preserve thine own. _Sar._ At least, I will enjoy it. Come, Myrrha, let us go on to the Euphrates: The hour invites, the galley is prepared, And the pavilion, decked for our return, In fit adornment for the evening banquet, Shall blaze with beauty and with light, until It seems unto the stars which are above us Itself an opposite star; and we will sit Crowned with fresh flowers like---- _Myr._ Victims. _Sar._ No, like sovereigns, The Shepherd Kings of patriarchal times, 560 Who knew no brighter gems than summer wreaths,[h] And none but tearless triumphs. Let us on. _Enter_ PANIA. _Pan._ May the King live for ever! _Sar._ Not an hour Longer than he can love. How my soul hates This language, which makes life itself a lie, Flattering dust with eternity.[i] Well, Pania! Be brief. _Pan._ I am charged by Salemenes to Reiterate his prayer unto the King, That for this day, at least, he will not quit The palace: when the General returns, 570 He will adduce such reasons as will warrant His daring, and perhaps obtain the pardon Of his presumption. _Sar._ What! am I then cooped? Already captive? can I not even breathe The breath of heaven? Tell prince Salemenes, Were all Assyria raging round the walls In mutinous myriads, I would still go forth. _Pan._ I must obey, and yet----